Temperature and precursor-controlled in situ generated, oleylammonium halide species from molecular bromine and amine plays decisive role in the synthesis of long-term ambient stable and emission tunable CsPbBr ₃ perovskite nanocrystals.

A selective fluorescent probe for Zn(II), AQA-F, has been synthesized. AQA-F exhibits a ratiometric shift in emission of up to 80 nm upon binding Zn(II) ([AQA-F] = 0.1 mM, [Zn(II)Cl₂] = 0–300 μM). An enhancement of quantum yield from Φ = 4.2% to Φ = 35% is also observed. AQA-F has a binding constant, K_d = 15.2 μM with Zn(II). This probe has been shown to respond to endogenous Zn(II) levels in vitro in prostate and prostate cancer cell lines. [¹⁸F]AQA-F has been synthesized with a radiochemical yield of 8.6% and a radiochemical purity of 97% in 88 minutes. AQA-F shows the potential for a dual modal PET/fluorescence imaging probe for Zn(II).

The surface functionalisation of self-assembled colloidal quantum dot supraparticle lasers with a thrombin binding aptamer (TBA-15) has been demonstrated. The self-assembly of CdSSe/ZnS alloyed core/shell microsphere-shape CQD supraparticles emitting at 630 nm was carried out using an oil-in-water emulsion technique, yielding microspheres with an oleic acid surface and an average diameter of 7.3 ± 5.3 µm. Surface modification of the microspheres was achieved through a ligand exchange with mercaptopropionic acid and the subsequent attachment of TBA-15 using EDC/NHS coupling, confirmed by zeta potential and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. Lasing functionality between 627 nm and 635 nm was retained post-functionalisation, with oleic acid- and TBA-coated microspheres exhibiting laser oscillation with thresholds as low as 4.10 ± 0.37 mJ·cm⁻² and 7.23 ± 0.78 mJ·cm⁻², respectively.